I Wasnt Expecting To Be In This Much Pain...

[thinkingskinny 5]

I'm five days post op and am still in quite a bit of pain. I think I was a lil naive about being in pain because most ppl at my support group were saying "they didnt need much help", "they were back at it", " they were up and going before they knew it". I'm still taking my pain meds around the clock, keep trying to wean but no more than an two hrs pass time I'm in quite a bit of pain. Is this something anybody else experienced?

Also I haven't started on Protein yet. Mainly because all the Protein shakes I bought I can't stand the taste of. And secondly I haven't had the chance to go to the store to try other things because I've been stuck on pain meds. I hope if I start later this week it shouldnt be a problem. Dr's. office said right now just focus on getting my liquids in. Which I've been doing by ice chips, cold apple juice, broth, and a sugar free popsicles. I just hope things start looking a bit brighter for me soon.

Ne advice for me, which I think I've been having a hard time, but that's just in comparision to other ppl. BUT IDK. Thanks for reading.

[CaliKat 153]

Thinkingskinny,

Sorry to hear youre in so much pain. Do whatever you need to to make yourself comfortable and get your fluids in..... If that means being doped up for the next week, than so be it. Youre the only one who knows how you truly feel.

I bet its frustrating feeling like this when so many others seem like they are not having the same degree of pain. Your surgery may even have been more complicated due to hernias or muscle mass or whatever... Making the recovery a little slower.

If your pain isnt diminishing a bit day by day, it may be time to call your surgeon. Do whatever it takes to get your fluids in and try to get some of the Proteins.

Keep strong and stay in touch. Sooner rather than later Things will perk up.

-Kat

[thinkingskinny 5]

Thanks Kat for the encouraging words. I hate being on these pain meds.. I guess I'm so eager to get back to my normal life. I hate to sleep the day a way. But thanks again and I will take your advice to heart.

[Lissa 2,631]

As dumb as it seems, walking really helped to reduce my pain, although I was lucky and didn't have a lot of pain from surgery. Mine was more related to over-filling my sleeve before I figured out my full signal.

You said that you are drinking cold apple juice and SF popsicles. Have you tried sticking to warmer fluids for a bit and see if that helps to reduce the pain? Cold things really didn't feel good for me immediately post-op. That could be part of the issue.

Of course, everyone does feel pain differently and yours could be more intense than others for many reasons. I've had two previous c-sections and another abdominal surgery, so the sleeve operation didn't feel as intense. My doc was actually worried that I would have a lot of pain because of the scar tissue and adhesions in my abdomen, so I know those can actually make the pain worse for some people.

If you need pain meds, though, take the pain meds. You won't win a medal for skipping the pain meds. Most surgeons prescribe two weeks worth of pain meds because they expect us to hurt for that long. That's also why they give us time off work; we need the time to heal. Rest, relax, and do what you can to make the pain tolerable for YOU.

Good luck on your journey!!

[SleevedInAtl 0]

Hi I am 6 days post op and the only lingering pain I still have is one of the long scars on my right side. We all have different ways we feel and deal with pain but I think the main thing you have to do is walk as much as possible and get your Protein in. The glutamine in the Protein helps you heal and has other branched chain amino acids in it that your body has to have for general nutrition purposes.

Keep your head up ThinkingSkinny, and keep fighting you are going to do great...

Take care

[thinkingskinny 5]

Thanks lissa

No it doesn't sound dumb to walk. Thats what they kept saying to do in the hospital. So walking doesn't bother me too much. My pain is more so where the incisions are on one side at the site where the tools were used mainly. So it hurts to bend over, turn side to side, and just certain positions. I still sleep sitting up cause i feel pressure when lying down, and paranoid about reflux.

The surgeon said my surgery went very well. My family said it took 30 mins or less. So but i know every body heals differently. Im just gonna take your advice and hang in there. Hopeful I write in a few days saying I'm doing much much better and off pain meds.

[thinkingskinny 5]

Hi Sleevedinatl

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm really gonna try again about the Protein. I've never been a fan of milk or milkshakes or anything in that consistency. When I can get out I'm gonna look into that Isopure Water, it looks like that might be a better form for me. And of course smoothies with the whey Protein I can do when that stage comes about. It sounds like your pain is in the same place as mine just about.

Good luck with your recovery and weight loss as well, thanks again

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

thinkingskinny

remember, we all heal differently, just like we all lose weight at different time periods. The one constant is that we're all different.

i totally understand your frustration concerning your aches and pains. Having to take pain meds all the time, no fun. But, if the meds do help, which it sounds like they do - take the meds and be happy they do the trick. Don't worry about being doped up alittle. You are entitled to get a lot of rest.

yes i see on the board all the time that people were doing well in a quick amount of time, never had any pain - went back to work in a few days, i know i've heard it all too. so it must be hard for you to hear when you are in your condition, besides this pain will go away - sounds like you are recupperating nicely. otherwise. Some people have complications and stuff so be happy you are not in that boat. i know that doesn't help your present situation though.

I think i'm just going in circles saying what you probably know: take your pain meds, and you will feel better, sooner than later.

as far as your liquid intake - most people have trouble getting Protein shakes in those first few days after surgery. it is more important to drink liquids (Water, broth, popsicles) don't let yourself get dehydrated..

get better soon

best wishes

take care

kathy

[thinkingskinny 5]

Thanks Kathy,

You are right, I'm am much thankful that Im only worried about the problem that I am having. Always could be worse off. Love the quote on your ticker! Best wishes to you to.

[andi0120 41]

Everyone experience its different but one thing that most of is have in common is we will all say out gets better. Once I started healing I felt better them pre surgery. Like everyone else I would suggest walking. Also I hate Protein but the one I am able to tolerate is Oh Yeah shakes give them a try. You will feel better soon!

[CamarilloCA 41]

I'm five days post-op and still need the liquid Vicodin every four hours for pain, and I need the Prilosec for nausea. The surgery was terrible for me. I think it lasted at least two hours. I was in the hospital for two nights. The pain medication that they gave me the first night, the morphine, wasn't working at all, and so they switched to Diladid, which worked better but really made me a zombie. When they switched the pain medication again to the liquid Vicodin, that made me more coherant.

My biggest problem after surgery was dry heaving and nausea. The surgeon found scar tissue around my band and around my port and removed it, and so that may be why I have more pain than others.

You can order tasteless Protein powder online and have it delivered for free quickly. You can put it in all your liquid. You should try to at least get 40 grams in at first. Here's a link to the stuff that I bought: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=204696&catid=142838&trxp1=35873&aid=338791

Good luck to you. I hope we both feel better soon. Don't resist the urge to rest. Your body heals when you are resting.

[slimthickens 28]

Hi Sleevedinatl

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm really gonna try again about the Protein. I've never been a fan of milk or milkshakes or anything in that consistency. When I can get out I'm gonna look into that Isopure Water, it looks like that might be a better form for me. And of course smoothies with the whey Protein I can do when that stage comes about. It sounds like your pain is in the same place as mine just about.

Good luck with your recovery and weight loss as well, thanks again

Hi Thinkingskinny, I too hate the taste of milky Protein shakes and have found that the nectar brand ones taste delicious. The arctic breeze one is my new favorite. That brand tastes like drinking juice instead of thick, stinky, milky Protein drinks. Give it a try and I hope you are feeling better soon.

[pussnboots 5]

Thinking about you and hoping you feel better soon!

[Cmullinvegas 39]

Pain is relative. You may actually be experiencing the same amount of pain as others but have a different threshold. I've had 4 other surgeries, sounds like Lisa has gone through some serious medical issues too. Don't be so hard on yourself, of course you're in pain you just had an organ removed. Rest helps your body heal so will the Protein so don't give up on trying new shakes. Good luck.

[Wheetsin 714]

Pain tolerance also plays a role. I had quote a bit of pain freshly post-op because I had a lot of scar tissue and adhesions. My surgeon spent a little more than twice his average operative time just to get me fixed up before the sleeve. It took about 8 hours to get the pain under control, but I was on morphine... not a fan of the surge nurse who made that decision... I do much better on dilaudid.

I'll be two weeks out on Tuesday. The side "instrument" incision still hurts. Well, not the incision itself, but about 3" further back. I have to bend down very slowly, and I can't comfortably twist or it gets a sort of hot poker feeling. I can sleep in bed but have to prop myself on about 4 pillows. I spent the first week sleeping in a recliner. Everything else feels fine.

It doesn't hurt persistently, just when I move. My personal preference is to deal with the pain and stay clear-headed. The Lortab is hitting me a lot harder this time than it ever has before. Not caring for that one bit.